4-Way Showdown In Women’s Skiff – Brazil – Denmark – Spain – New Zealand

Brazilian Martine Grael headlines a fleet of champions heading into a medal race showdown.  After 12 races there are four previous champions all tied for the lead heading into the 49erFX medal race.  The pundits couldn’t choose a favorite heading into the Rio skiff regatta, and they were correct.  Of the eight teams that were […]

French Men and Spanish Women Stamp the Day – Burling Tuke Extend

49er Frenchmen Julien D’Ortoli and Noe Delpech scored a 3, 1, 1, to win the day and in the process moved all the way up to fourth place overall. Showing their best form since mid-2013, the were able to bring one of their best performances to the biggest stage and will now be in position […]

German Men and Danish Women Grab Momentum in Classic Conditions

Men’s Skiff – 49er Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) were flying in the medium winds on the Aeroporto course on a day that demanded four tiring races from the Men’s 49er crews. A race win at the start of the day combined with some other top five scores has brought the Germans to just […]

Hansen and Iversen Seize Moment to Claim First European Title

Sometimes a regatta can come down to a moment, and for Jena Hansen and Katja Iversen they seized the moment and claimed their first ever European title.  The Danish duo trailed Italians and reigning European Champions Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich by four points entering the medal race, meaning they had to beat the Italians […]

Both 2015 European Champions Poised to Repeat

It was a scramble for both Gold fleets on Day 5 of the European Championships as few teams managed consistency through the day due to the inconsistent winds.  Back on shore as teams discussed the racing, mostly befuddled, the old boys coaches union brought out expressions like “Barcelona Banana” from the days of the 1992 […]

Spaniards on a Roll – An Armada In the Making

Tamara Echegoyen emerged as an afterthought in London to claim the Gold medal in the women’s Match racing in 2012.  The pundits all promoted their favorites, some of the biggest names in the sport of sailing but Echegoyen was unflappable and beat them all to claim gold.  Teaming up with Berta Betanzos, a 470 World […]

On the Bubble to Gold

It was a stressful final day of qualifying for the 72 boat 49er fleet, only 25 of whom can make gold fleet.  With seven of ten scheduled races completed there were still more than 20 teams on the bubble hoping to sail well enough to keep their hopes alive.  The conditions were a combination of […]

Sunsational Start to 2016 European Championship in Barcelona

The super competitive 49er fleets lined up and stretched their legs as racing got under way from the world class Barcelona International Sailing center. Just up the Mediterranean beaches from where the 1992 Olympics were held, the 2016 Olympic fleet and the rest of the world chasing skirmished in the opening races. The 49erFX raced […]

Bekkering and Duetz Have a Day to Remember in Palma

It was a wonderful redemption for the Dutch team of Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz at the 47th Trofeo Princessa Sofia regatta as the girls had another great day of racing, winning all three races to lead the standings.   The Dutch duo have been near the top of the 49erFX fleet for since the boats existence but a […]

49er/49erFX Worlds – Final Day, Clearwater, Florida

FIRST FX TITLE FOR SPAIN, FOURTH FOR THE KILLER KIWIS by Andy Rice   Tamara Echegoyen and Berta Betanzos emerged from a snakes and ladders final day in Clearwater, Florida, to win the 49erFX World Championships, while Peter Burling and Blair Tuke cruised to their fourth consecutive victory in the 49er World Championships.   49erFX […]